Correlation Between Proinflammatory Cytokine Expression and Clinical Data in Apical Granuloma.

INTRODUCTION: This study was intended to evaluate the expression of inflammatory cytokines commonly secreted by CD4+ T cells (IL-2, IL-5, IL-17, TGF-ß, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) in apical granulomas and correlate with the clinical conditions and time elapsed since root canal treatment. METHODS: Eighteen biopsy specimens obtained by periradicular surgery of teeth with post-treatment apical periodontitis and diagnosed as apical granuloma were available from the oral pathology laboratory. Silanized slides containing paraffin sections were used for immunohistochemical reactions. Images were analyzed by using an optical microscopy and each slide was subdivided into 5 fields at high magnification. RESULTS: IFN-γ and TGF-ß were the cytokines with the highest expression levels. There were statistically significant differences when comparing IL-2 and IFN-γ (P < .05), and IL-2 and TGF-ß (P < .05). Comparison between the detected cytokines and clinical data and time of treatment demonstrated significant correlation (P < .05) between lower expression of IL-2 and the presence of painful symptoms, absence of sinus tract, and treatments performed more than 4 years before. It was also possible to observe a significant correlation between lower expression of IL-5 and treatments performed less than 4 years before (P < .05). CONCLUSION: IFN-γ and TGF-ß were highly expressed in apical granulomas. However, only IL-2 and IL-5 levels were associated with clinical data and time since previous root canal treatment.

Influence of a High-fat Diet in the Progression of Apical Periodontitis.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) on the progression of apical periodontitis (AP) in rats. METHODS: Eight-week old Wistar rats (N = 24) were included in this study. Half of the animals received an HFD and the other half a control diet (CD). AP lesions were induced 8 weeks later by creating pulp exposure of the mandibular left first molars. The animal's body mass was verified on a weekly basis. After 21 and 40 days, the animals were sacrificed. Blood was collected for biochemical tests, and the liver was removed for hepatic triglycerides analysis. The left hemimandibles were removed, radiographed, and then prepared for histologic evaluation. The right hemimandibles (region near molars) were removed for bone mineral density analysis by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Radiographs showed that AP lesions were significantly larger in the HFD group compared with the CD group (P < .05). Histologic analysis confirmed that the AP lesions were larger and revealed a more severe inflammatory infiltrate in the HFD group. Bone mineral density was reduced in the HFD group compared with the CD groups (P < .05). The HFD resulted in a significant increase in body mass (P < .05), liver mass (P < .05), relative liver mass (P < .05), and hepatic triglycerides (P < .05). The levels of triglycerides and very-low-density lipoprotein were significantly higher in the 40-day HFD group compared with the 21-day HFD and 21- and 40-day CD groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that an HFD can influence the progression and severity of AP.

Large calcifying odontogenic cyst in the posterior maxilla / Extenso cisto odontogênico calcificante em maxila posterior

RESUMEN La aparición de un quiste odontogénico calcificante (QOC) en la región posterior de la maxila es infrecuente; hay pocos informes descritos en la literatura. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 13 años que presentó una lesión extensa en la maxila izquierda (> 7,5 cm). La radiografía panorámica mostró una lesión radiolúcida unilocular bien delimitada, que se extendía desde el maxilar posterior izquierdo hasta el seno maxilar. La paciente fue sometida a descompresión, seguida de de la extirpación quirúrgica conservadora de la lesión. El análisis histológico de la pieza quirúrgica confirmó el diagnóstico de QOC. Después de un año, no se observaron recurrencias. La paciente permanece en seguimiento regular.

Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Seeded Bone Biomaterial Directs Fast and Superior Mandibular Bone Augmentation in Rats.

Atrophic maxillary ridges present a challenge in the field of oral implantology. Autologous bone is still considered the gold standard grafting material, but the increased morbidity and surgical complications represent a major drawback for its use. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of an off-the-shelf cell-seeded bone biomaterial for mandibular bone augmentation, compared to its acellular counterpart. We used a rat model to test the osteogenic properties of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs)-seeded bone microparticles compared to acellular bone microparticles alone. Rats were euthanized at 4 and 8 weeks, and results analyzed using micro-CT imaging, histology (H&E, Masson's Trichrome), histomorphometry and immunohistology (Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase-TRAP, Osteocalcin and human specific anti-mitochondria antibodies). Micro-CT analysis demonstrated that the cell-seeded biomaterial achieved significantly more bone volume formation at 4 weeks (22.75 ± 2.25 mm3 vs 12.34 ± 2.91 mm3, p = 0.016) and at 8 weeks (64.95 ± 5.41 mm3 vs 42.73 ± 10.58 mm3, p = 0.029), compared to the acellular bone microparticles. Histology confirmed that the cell-seeded biomaterial was almost completely substituted at 8 weeks, in opposition to the acellular biomaterial group. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a significantly higher number of TRAP and Osteocalcin positive cells at 4 weeks in the cell-seeded group compared to the acellular group, thereby demonstrating a higher rate of bone remodeling in the presence of MSCs. The grafted human cells remained viable and were detected up to at least 8 weeks, as observed using the human specific anti-mitochondria antibody. This off-the-shelf material available in unlimited quantities could therefore represent a significant advance in the field of mandibular bone augmentation by providing a larger volume of new bone formation in a shorter time.

Distribution of macrophages and plasma cells in apical periodontitis and their relationship with clinical and image data.

BACKGROUND: Macrophages and plasma cells play a key role in the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of these cells in apical periodontitis and their distribution comparing with clinical and image data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-three lesions were selected and divided in two groups (17 periapical cysts and 16 periapical granulomas). Immunoreactions using anti-CD68 and anti-CD138 antibodies were carried out; image analysis was performed with an optical microscope and 5 high-power fields from each slide were evaluated leading to an average score of immunoexpression. This mean score was compared between the two groups and correlated with the clinical and image data. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference (p >0.05) for the mean average score of CD68+ macrophages and CD138+ plasma cells when comparing the two groups (cysts x granulomas) and the specimens included in each specific group. No statistically significant differences (p >0.05) were also observed when comparing the average scores with clinical and image data. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of CD68+ macrophages and CD138+ plasma cells was similar in periapical cysts and granulomas and the presence of these cells did not correlate with clinical and image data from both groups. Key words:Macrophages, plasma cells, apical periodontitis, periapical granuloma, periapical cyst.

Cleaning and Shaping Oval Canals with 3 Instrumentation Systems: A Correlative Micro-computed Tomographic and Histologic Study.

INTRODUCTION: The present study evaluated the cleaning and shaping ability of 3 instrumentation systems in oval canals of extracted vital teeth using a correlative analytic approach. METHODS: Oval distal canals from 33 freshly extracted mandibular molars with pulp vitality were scanned by micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) imaging for sample selection. Specimens matched by anatomic similarities were distributed into 3 experimental groups according to the instrument system to be evaluated: the Self-Adjusting File (SAF; ReDentNOVA, Ra'anana, Israel), TRUShape (Dentsply Sirona, Tulsa, OK), and XP-endo Shaper (FKG Dentaire, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland). The irrigant was 5.25% sodium hypochlorite heated at 37°C. After rescanning with micro-CT imaging, the unprepared surface areas were identified, measured, and then histologically evaluated for the amount of pulp remnants in each root third. RESULTS: When the apical 4-mm canal segment was evaluated, the SAF exhibited significantly less unprepared areas than the XP-endo Shaper (P < .05), and there were no significant differences for the other comparisons (P > .05). Analysis of the full canal length showed no statistically significant differences between the 3 tested systems (P > .05). Likewise, the tested systems did not differ significantly in cleaning the unprepared walls (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the amount of unprepared surface areas between the 3 instrument systems, except for the comparison between the SAF and XP-endo Shaper in the apical 4-mm segment. None of them prepared 100% of the root canal walls. The cleaning ability of the 3 systems was similar.

Fresh-Frozen Bone Allografts in Maxillary Alveolar Augmentation: Analysis of Complications, Adverse Outcomes, and Implant Survival.

BACKGROUND: Success of any bone augmentation procedure is dependent on several factors. Because complications occur in some cases, the aims of this study are to analyze adverse events associated with placement of fresh-frozen bone allografts (FFBAs) during alveolar ridge augmentation and to assess 1-year survival of dental implants placed in reconstructed sites. METHODS: Fifty-eight consecutive patients (15 males and 43 females, aged 38 to 76 years; mean age: 58 ± 9.2 years) requiring maxillary bone reconstruction prior to implant placement were enrolled in this study. A total of 268 implants was subsequently placed in sites reconstructed with FFBAs. There were 22 posterior grafted sites, 19 anterior, and 17 full-arch sites. After a 4- to 6-month integration period, all patients received an implant-supported fixed prostheses. Complications occurring during treatment and the 12-month follow-up period were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: Thirteen of 58 (22.41%) patients experienced some kind of complication in the receptor site. Infection occurred in six (10.34%) individuals, dehiscence in five (8.62%), and mucosal perforation in seven (12.07%). Adverse outcomes categorized as partial and total graft loss occurred in four (6.90%) and three (5.17%) patients, respectively. Implant failure rate was 16 (5.97%) of the 268 fixtures placed in 12 (20.70%) of 58 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Infection and suture dehiscence are significantly correlated with graft loss in a maxillary FFBA augmentation. Patients with full-arch grafting reconstructions lost significantly more implants. Early diagnosis and prompt management of adverse events seem to be of great importance in prevention of total graft loss.

Oral verruciform xanthoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 20 cases.

Verruciform xanthoma of the oral cavity is an uncommon benign lesion that usually affects the palate and gingiva mainly as a well-circumscribed solitary yellowish to whitish plaque or nodule, which is promptly recognized microscopically by identification of sub-epithelial foamy macrophages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features of 20 cases of oral verruciform xanthoma. All cases were evaluated by conventional hematoxylin/eosin staining and six of those were submitted to immunohistochemical reactions for CD68, CD63, CD163, syndecan-1 (CD138), S-100 protein and cytokeratins (CK) 8, 14 and 19. Oral verruciform xanthoma presented as yellowish papillary nodules affecting mainly the palate (30%), buccal mucosa (30%) and gingiva (25%) of middle-aged male patients. Most cases presented papillary epithelial hyperplasia and sub-epithelial foamy cells, which were immunopositive for CD68, CD63 and CD163 in all cases. The orange parakeratin superficial layer was negative for CK14 and presented a distinct granular membrane pattern of positivity for CD138. S-100 protein, CK8, and CK19 were negative.

Immunoexpression of interleukin 17 in apical periodontitis lesions.

INTRODUCTION: Interleukin (IL)-17 expression has been detected in apical periodontitis lesions, but its role in the disease process remains unclear. The present study compared the expression of IL-17 in periradicular cysts and granulomas and evaluated the association of this cytokine with clinical and radiographic findings. METHODS: Apical periodontitis lesions (18 cysts and 20 granulomas) were obtained from 38 patients subjected to periradicular surgery. Some clinical, radiographic, and cone-beam computed tomographic features were recorded. Silanized slides containing paraffin sections were used for the immunohistochemical reactions using anti-IL-17 antibody. Image analysis was performed using an optical microscope, and each sample was divided into 5 high-power fields, which were evaluated for the expression of IL-17 in the epithelium and connective tissues. Results were evaluated for correlations with the lesion size and the occurrence of symptoms and sinus tract. RESULTS: Expression of IL-17 was significantly higher in cysts than in granulomas (P = .02). Among the periradicular cysts, a thin epithelium showed significantly increased labeling for IL-17 when compared with a hyperplastic epithelium (P = .003). IL-17 expression was usually associated with focal accumulations of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. No association of IL-17 expression with symptoms, sinus tract, or lesion size was observed (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study reinforces the notion that IL-17 may take part in the pathogenesis of apical periodontitis lesions. A role in the exacerbation of chronic inflammation and cyst formation is suspected. Further studies are required to shed light on the specific functions of IL-17 in periradicular inflammatory processes.

Segmental odontomaxillary dysplasia: report of a case emphasizing histopathological, immunohistochemical and scanning electron microscopic features.

Segmental odontomaxillary dysplasia (SOD) is a rare developmental disorder of the maxilla, and there is little information on its morphological features. Thus, the present article describes a case of SOD focusing on its histopathological, immunohistochemical and scanning electron microscopic features. Several dental abnormalities were present, including numerous dentin and pulp defects, altered composition of hard tissue, and proliferation of myofibroblasts in the pulp and the soft tissue surrounding affected teeth. This myofibroblastic proliferation was identified for the first time in SOD and may be involved in both bone and tooth resorption mechanisms.

Oral soft-tissue angiolipoma: report of two cases of rare oral lipomatous lesion with emphasis on morphological and immunohistochemical features.

Oral angiolipomas are exceedingly rare and little is known about their morphological and etiological features. Here, we report two cases of oral angiolipoma and discuss their clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features, focusing on endothelial markers. Both lesions presented mature adipocytes interspersed by small blood vessels containing fibrin thrombi. Immunohistochemical analysis showed numerous mast cells and expression of CD34, vascular endothelial growth factor, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, interferon-γ and interleukin 6 in most endothelial and stromal cells. Mast cell-endothelial cell interaction may be responsible for the reactive or neoplastic origin of the vascular proliferation of these entities.

Sarcoidosis presenting as gingival erosion in a patient under long-term clinical control.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory granulomatous systemic disease that rarely affects the oral cavity. Gingival involvement has been reported in only a very limited number of cases, occasionally as the first manifestation of the disease. This article reports a case of sarcoidosis affecting the gingiva and alveolar mucosa in a patient previously treated for the systemic disease and considered under long-term clinical control. METHODS: A 57-year-old white female presented with a chief complaint of gingival pain in the maxillary right area lasting 3 years. Clinical examination revealed an erythematous, ill-defined erosive macule on the buccal aspect of the maxillary right gingiva extending from the canine to the third molar. The medical history included a diagnosis of sarcoidosis 16 years prior to presentation, which was considered to be under clinical control for the last 11 years. An incisional biopsy was obtained. RESULTS: Histopathology indicated the presence of an intense chronic inflammatory infiltrate and focal areas with non-caseating granulomas. Periodic acid-Schiff and Grocott's stains were negative for microorganisms, and the diagnosis was compatible with sarcoidosis. Systemic evaluation showed no involvement of other areas and organs, and the patient was managed with topical steroid therapy using silicone trays in conjunction with conventional periodontal therapy and oral hygiene instructions. Complete response was achieved after 6 months, and the patient remains in clinical follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although sarcoidosis is a systemic disease that rarely affects the gingiva, the possibility of gingival involvement as the sole manifestation of the disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of gingival lesions.

Epithelial lacrimal gland tumors: a clinicopathological study of 18 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report the clinicopathological features of 18 epithelial tumors of the lacrimal gland treated in a single institution. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Clinical data and treatment were recorded and histological features reviewed. RESULTS: Twelve tumors (66.7%) were adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), 5 (27.8%) pleomorphic adenoma (PA), and 1 (5.5%) carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. All patients with ACC presented with advanced clinical stage, and most were treated by wide surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. No recurrence was observed in 4 cases of ACC; however, 7 patients died from persistence of disease or by local and/or distant recurrence. All PA patients were successfully treated by surgical resection. CONCLUSIONS: Epithelial lacrimal gland tumors are mainly PA and ACC, and malignancies are more common than benign tumors. Although ACC presented typically with advanced clinical stage, 33% of the patients survived without tumor recurrence or metastasis.

Carcinoma mucoepidermóide de cabeça e pescoço: estudo clínico-patológico de 173 casos / Head and neck mucoepidermoid carcinoma: clinicopathologic study of 173 cases

Introduçäo: Carcinoma mucoepidermóide (CME) é o tumor maligno mais comum de glândulas salivares, entretanto poucos estudos em populaçöes brasileiras têm sido relatados na literatura. Objetivo: Reportar os dados clínico-patológicos de 173 CME de cabeça e pescoço do Centro de Tratamento e Pesquisa Hospital do Câncer A. C. Camargo em Säo Paulo. Forma de estudo: Clínico randomizado. Material e Método: Cento e setenta e três casos de CME tratados entre 1953 e 1997, obtidos dos arquivos do Centro de Tratamento e Pesquisa Hospital do Câncer A. C. Camargo foram utilizados no estudo. Os dados foram obtidos a partir dos prontuários e da revisäo histológica de todos os casos. Resultados: A idade média dos pacientes foi de 44 anos e 93 (53,8 por cento) eram homens. Parótida foi acometida em 61 casos (35,2 por cento) e as glândulas salivares menores intra-orais em 75 (43,4 por cento), TNM revelou 50,3 por cento dos casos em estádios I e II, e a gradaçäo histológica revelou 45,2 por cento, 18,5 por cento e 36,3 por cento tumores de baixo grau, grau intermediário e alto grau de malignidade, respectivamente. Tratamento cirúrgico foi utilizado em 80,3 por cento dos casos, complementado por esvaziamento cervical em 52 casos (30,1 por cento) e radioterapia em 73 (42,2 por cento). Recidiva local, recidiva regional e metástase a distância foram encontradas em 12,7 por cento, 9,8 por cento e 9,2 por cento dos pacientes, respectivamente, e a sobrevida global dos pacientes em 5 e 10 anos foi de 70 por cento e 60 por cento, respectivamente. Conclusöes: A avaliaçäo dos 173 casos de CME de cabeça e pescoço mostrou que estes tumores ocorreram preferencialmente na glândula parótida e no palato de indivíduos adultos, sem predileçäo por sexo. Metade dos casos encontravam-se em estádios clínicos iniciais e 64 por cento dos tumores eram de grau baixo ou intermediário de malignidade. O tratamento de escolha foi cirúrgico e o prognóstico dos pacientes foi bom